1. Homestead (15-4)
Conference Record: 6-0
SAC Rank: 1st
Last Game: 66-48 win over Northrop
Next Game: vs Wayne(Feb. 7)
The Spartans remain atop of the SAC with an unblemished record with now just 3 conference games left to play. Those three games though are not going to be easy as those three opponents are Wayne, Concordia, and Carroll all teams currently within the top half of the conference standings. In their last outing, Sparty showed they can handle business and take control of a game with an 18-point win over Northrop. The win was led by Will Jamison who scored a career-high 27 points. When Jamison’s shots are falling as they did against the Bruins it will be a near-impossible task for any SAC squad to try and slow down the Spartans. The first of the three remaining SAC games for Sparty will come on February 7th when they will take on the Wayne Generals.
2. Wayne (13-4)
Conference Record: 5-1
SAC Rank: T-2nd
Last Game: 75-73 win over Blackhawk
Next Game: @ Homestead(Feb. 7)
The Generals are quite possibly the hottest team in the conference currently on a five-game win streak with the most recent one being a statement victory over one of the top squads in the state the Blackhawk Braves. Overall on the season, this squad has been pretty streaky as they started the year 8-1 before losing three straight games and now they have bounced back with that 5-game win streak. In the win over the Braves Jevon Lewis and Monte Smith Jr were both huge, scoring a combined 48 points. And it wasn’t just that one game for these guys either; they have been crucial all year averaging double digits for the Generals. A huge opportunity now presents itself for Wayne in their next game which will be against the Homestead Spartans who currently sit atop the conference.
3. Concordia (11-4)
Conference Record: 5-1
SAC Rank: T-2nd
Last Game: 64-37 win over Heritage
Next Game: vs Angola(Feb. 2)
After a difficult 0-2 start to 2023, the Cadets have turned it around winning their last 5 games including 3 SAC victories. The most recent SAC victory was a win over North Side in which the Cadets snuck out with a 2-point victory. The Cadets still have some big games looming on their schedule both out of conference and within the SAC as they still will play Homestead, Wayne, Norwell, and Columbia City before the regular season concludes.
4. North Side (11-6)
Conference Record: 4-2
SAC Rank: T-4th
Last Game: 63-61 loss against Concordia
Next Game: vs Lawrence North(Feb. 4)
The Legends have faced one of the toughest stretches of their season the past two weeks playing both Homestead and Concordia. In both of those games, they were able to battle for most of the game but just could not close it out down the stretch and now they no longer control their destiny in the conference. Some good news for the Legends though is that Tae Johnson got his way up to the milestone of 1,000 career points. Johnson has been terrific all year for this team averaging over 20 points along with 8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.2 steals a game. This is a squad that has been depleted all year due to injuries and is still trying to find the right fit.
5. Carroll (9-6)
Conference Record: 4-2
SAC Rank: T-4th
Last Game: 67-60 loss against Yorktown
Next Game: @ Huntington North(Feb. 2)
The Chargers have struggled a little bit recently losing 3 out of their last 5 games but they did pick up two conference wins in that stretch. Their two wins were over Snider and South Side. With those wins, they still remain in reach of the top of the conference but would have to have some games fall their way that is out of their control. Their remaining three conference opponents are North Side, Northrop, and Homestead.
6. Bishop Luers (5-12)
Conference Record: 2-4
SAC Rank: T-6th
Last Game: 70-44 loss against Wayne
Next Game: vs South Side(Feb. 7)
The Knights have struggled since picking up their marquee win of the year when they beat Concordia on January 6th losing their 5 games since. They will look to snap that streak when they play against South Side on February 7th. If the Knights are able to snap the losing streak it will most likely be because of Cadell Wallace as he has averaged 15.4 points a game this season
7. South Side (3-12)
Conference Record: 1-5
SAC Rank: T-8th
Last Game: 82-29 loss against North Central
Next Game: @ Muncie Central(Feb. 4)
The Archers had a great Friday night performance beating Bishop Dwenger 55-53 which was then followed up by a disappointing showing in a 53-point loss to the North Central Panthers. The Archers will look to bounce back against Muncie Central on February 4th.
8. Dwenger (4-12)
Conference Record: 1-5
SAC Rank: T-8th
Last Game: 55-53 loss against South Side
Next Game: vs Snider(Jan. 31)
The Saints picked up two straight close victories before they dropped a close conference game against South Side. Those two wins were a win over Luers followed by an upset knocking off Blackhawk 64-61. So far in January only one of the Saints games was decided by double digits and that showcases just how they can compete with absolutely anyone.
9. Northrop (4-13)
Conference Record: 2-4
SAC Rank: T-6th
Last Game: 84-65 loss against Marion
Next Game: @ Concordia(Feb. 7)
The Bruins have struggled somewhat recently getting just one win in their last 7 games. In most of their losses they have been able to compete for the first half or even all the way down to the final moments but just haven’t been able to come out on top. Their next chance to try and get a victory will come against the Concordia Cadets.
10. Snider (1-15)
Conference Record: 0-6
SAC Rank: 10th
Last Game: 71-56 loss against Carroll
Next Game: @ Dwenger(Jan. 31)
The Panthers are still searching for their first SAC victory of the season. On the year though Ke’ron Billingsley has been a key scorer for the Panthers averaging 12.2 points a game. On January 31st they will get another shot at a SAC opponent playing against the Dwenger Saints.
